New Mexico officials announced Tuesday a new pilot grant program that will award up to $100,000 to state-authorized arts and cultural districts to boost local creative economies.
The New Mexico Arts & Cultural Districts Pilot Grant Program will distribute grants ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 to the state’s 10 designated arts districts. Applications are being accepted through Aug. 29.
The one-time initiative represents a collaboration between New Mexico Arts, the Economic Development Department’s MainStreet program and the Creative Industries Division.
“So many of our communities have shaped their economic identities around the arts, culture and creative industries,” said Rob Black, cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Economic Development Department. “When we take the time to invest strategically in what makes each region special, we see benefits that last and have real cultural significance.”
The program aims to fund high-impact creative programming and drive local economic growth while building support for sustained future investment.
New Mexico’s state-authorized arts and cultural districts are located in downtown Albuquerque, Artesia, Carlsbad, Gallup, Las Cruces, Las Vegas, Los Alamos, Mora, Raton and Silver City.
Shani Harvie, director of EDD’s Creative Industries Division, said the collaboration combines more than 100 years of combined experience serving artists and small businesses across the state.
The arts district program has operated since 2007 under state statute, with New Mexico Arts partnering with the MainStreet program to establish districts throughout the state.
“We are excited to now partner with the Creative Industries Division to support ACDs in their growth and development by helping them to bring arts and culture programming into the hearts of their communities,” said Michelle Laflamme-Childs, executive director of New Mexico Arts.
Officials plan to host an informational webinar Aug. 8. More information is available online.
